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In 1902, Japan and Britain became allies. This allowed Japan to declare war on Russia in 1904, launching a surprise attack on Port Arthur. Although they made gains such as sinking Russia's fleets, they also suffered heavy losses in terms of manpower and supplies. Theodore Roosevelt (the US president at the time) helped the two sides negotiate a peace agreement which gave Japan rights in Manchuria in Korea and made Russia cede some territory in Sakhalin Island.

Citation: "Meiji and Taisho Japan"

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After Japan's victory over China, they began to gain power and influence as a major power. This resulted in competition with Russia, another one of the major world powers, over Manchuria. Japan attempted to prevent conflict by recognizing Russia's rights in Manchuria as long as they kept out of Korea, but Russia refused, which was the start of the Russo-Japanese War.

Citation: POI Modernization in Japan (812)

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Japan previously adopted many aspects of Chinese culture, such as religion, cuisine, and tradition. This is extremely significant because China was a "big brother" in a sense to Japan, but in the 1890s, Japan had the power to invade and take over Beijing. During the first Sino-Japanese War, Japan claimed Manchuria and Beijing. This fight between two Asian powers was on and off through World War I ("First Sino-Japanese War").

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Yokohama was one of the cities forced open by the unequal treaties that Japan had signed with the Western powers. During Japan's industrialization, it was one of the fastest-growing cities and was the most international city in Japan. Many factories were built in the city, growing its economy.

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The Treaty of Portsmouth formally the war between Russia and Japan. This treaty was brokered by the United States and President Theodore Roosevelt. This was significant because it was the first time, in the modern world, when an Asian country was able to beat a European country. It was a huge step for Japan, whose goal was to be seen as equal with the Western powers. This was shocking to the world and an embarrassment for Russia, which led to government reconstruction. Due to this treaty, Japan gained control of Korea and most of South Manchuria ("The Treaty of Portsmouth").

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In 1853, Commodore Perry and his fleet of gunships sailed into Tokyo Bay and forced Japan to open up to the outside world and sign unequal treaties. Many other nations soon did the same. At the time, Japan had no other choice but to comply, because its military was inferior to that of the US. However, the event would trigger political and economic reforms that caused Japan to become equal to the US and European imperial nations.

Citation: Bentley 899-900

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Edo became a major location for industrialization. Even more, the Edo Period characterized the final time the shogun was in complete control over Japan's government.  After the final emperor resigned and did not appoint a new military leader, he retired to Edo, Japan. When he arrived, the city was renamed Tokyo. As a result, Edo was named the capital of Japan ("From Edo to Tokyo").

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After the First Sino-Japanese War, tensions between Japan and Russia increased as they had competing interests in Korea and Manchuria. Japan launched a surprise attack on Russia, and due to their reformed military, they won the war, and with it, land in Sakhalin Island and rights in Manchuria and Korea. Later, in the Second Sino-Japanese War, Manchuria would be invaded by Japan and a puppet state would be set up there.

Citation: "Meiji and Taisho Japan"

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Taiwan, which had originally belonged to the Qing Dynasty (China), was ceded to Japan in the First Sino-Japanese War. Japan's victory against China was a great source of national pride and represented their progress in modernization, industrialization, and militarization.

Citation: "Meiji and Taisho Japan"